Family Ties: The 35th Games

I had never been one who had nightmares, not really. Maybe when I was really young, but never anything I remembered. I'd wake up upset, and it would subside by the time I'd gotten dressed for my day. But life changed irrevocably the moment my name was Reaped, and the nightmares.... The nightmares were just another facet of that.

It still wasn't clear. I just remembered flashes of it. But the flashes I remember are horrid-- The girl from 4 carving Addalie up with a sickening precision. The Boy from 2 pulverizing Mark like a punching bag. A gang of Careers closing in on my brother with no mercy, until there was nothing left. And all of them turning to look me in the eye, telling me I was next. 

And under it all, I heard my Mama's voice, shaking and crying, in an echo; 'One of you has to come home'.

When I open my eyes, Nathan is looking at me with concern in his eyes. "Are you alright," he asks after a pause, hand hovering over my shoulder, as though he wants to comfort me but isn't sure if I can handle being touched. "You were crying and screaming and thrashing.... I wasn't sure if you were still asleep or not, Nia. I thought... Something was happening..." He trails off. What he thought exactly was going on, I'm not sure, but guilt begins to sink in my stomach for making him worry so much. 

I wipe the tears from my eyes, trying to steel myself with a shuddering breath. "I'm fine, Nathan, it was just a nightmare. They'll probably happen more," I croak. "I'll... be okay tonight though. I'm sorry. Just try to go back to sleep."

"No point in that," he answers, showing me a tiny smile. "It's nearly morning. Might as well get up and start the day."

Both of us make our way to the sitting room for breakfast, not bothering to get changed. Sean let us know that our stylists would be dressing us for training. I didn't see the point in that-- I didn't really need help picking out sweatpants and sneakers, but I didn't argue. Things worked differently here. I was painfully reminded of that every day.

I eat while I look out the window, though regret it immediately when my stomach turns. Our floor in the building is so high up off the ground-- I've never been this high in the sky in my life. It just doesn't feel right. I'm so used to the Prairies, to having the ground beneath me and the fields spilling out over the horizon. In the Capitol, I just feel trapped. Literally, because of my situation of course, but even beyond that; every direction I look, there's another giant building, boxing me in and keeping me stuck. 

The sun slowly rises, peeking through the buildings in the colossal city, as the District Nine support team slowly wakes up; first Sean, then Moray. I'm surprised Sean is up first, given how much he'd slept in on the train, but there's a lot I don't know about Sean. There's a lot I don't know about everyone on the support team. Olivia comes to breakfast next, and Palana arrives last-- apparently putting together her look for the day is a big time investment. Kera is nowhere to be found.

When everyone is done eating, Sean assembles Nathan, Olivia and I in the main living space, sitting down with us, and getting down to business. "Today is the first day of training. You'll be heading out shortly, but before you go, I think we should strategize a bit. What do both of you think your strengths are? What do you have that might benefit you in the Arena?"

It doesn't take Nathan long to answer. "I'm strong. Had to be; lot off manual labor involved in farming, especially without automated equipment," he tells Sean. "I've seen some of the past games-- they have tridents, no? I've never used one, but I have to use pitchforks when we're dealing with hay. It can't be that different."

Sean huffs under his breath. "It's a start, sure. Using a tool and using a weapons is different. But you have some groundwork."

Olivia looks over to me supportively, reaching out to take my hand. "What about you, Zania? Did you help in the fields too?"

I shake my head, taking time to think about what I was being asked. A small wave of frustration came over me-- I'd been asking to help in the fields. Maybe if they'd let me help, I'd have more to work with right now. But that frustration was soon replaced with guilt; there was a good chance I'd never see my family again. I didn't want my thoughts of them to be resentful. Trying to grasp at literally anything, I finally answer her. "I can cook food. And light fires. I.... I'm observant. I notice details most people might overlook. And Mama says I'm resilient. Louisia always said that was just a different word for stubborn, though."

Sean suppresses a smile at that last comment, but gives me a little nod. "Those are good skills to have, Zania. You're not starting off too bad either. Lots of tributes freeze to death, or die from eating something poisonous or improperly cooked."

Olivia hums in agreement, watching us both. "Both of you try to get to as many stations as you can today. You'll get introductions on what's new to you, and get a feel for a bit of everything. I'll give you a good idea of what you may be good at."

"If there's something you're already good at, though, skip it," Sean advises us. "Want to keep some secrets for the arena. The other tributes will be watching, and you don't want to play too much of your hand. So Zania, don't go to the fire-building stations, I'd say. Keep that for your private session. And Nathan, steer clear of anything that'll show how strong you are right off the bat. Try out some weapons, get some guidance, and practice with those."

"Don't skip any survival stations," Olivia adds on. "So many tributes fall into the trap of just practicing to fight, and then when they need to take care of themselves, they have no idea what to do. Try knot-tying and learning about snares. Check out the edible plant stations." She pauses, eyeing me up and down for a second, and then tells me, "Zania, try out the obstacle course."

"Why?" I asked, scrunching up my nose, and imagining a silly little schoolyard game, like the ones teachers would set up for us during rec time. I couldn't see how that would be at all helpful to me in a battle royale.

"You're small," she replies simply. "You look like you'd be fast and agile, and I think you'd do quite well on it. Being able to navigate whatever your arena may end up looking like is useful, and travelling by foot on the ground isn't always the best-- or easiest-- way. No one can hurt you if they can't catch you, and while bigger and older tributes will be faster on foot, once there are hurdles in the way, your chances improve."

It is then, finally, that Kera makes her appearance, my prep teem scurrying after her like little puppies. They all march right over to us, interrupting the conversation. "Zania, come along. We need to dress you for training."

"I know how to get dressed," I answer her, nose scrunching again. I knew this was coming; we'd been told the stylists would be dressing us, but I didn't like Kera. I didn't like how she talked to me, and I didn't like the things she had me wear. And I couldn't help but notice that Nathan didn't seem to have as hard of a time with his stylist as I did with mine. "Nathan doesn't seem to need help. Why is it just me that needs help dressing for training?"

"Moray will be out to dress him too," Kera waves me off impatiently, shooting me a look and waving me over. "He is handsome, he needs less aid in looking presentable than you do."

I scoff. "What's the point? No one's going to see. Plus, if we're training, won't it all just be ruined at the end of the day anyway?"

"The gamemakers will be watching, child. You need to make a good first impression. Now stand, or I will have Iza and Mara carry you." Her tone is dangerous, and I relent, though I'm hardly happy about it. Iza and Mara don't carry me, but they do each take one of my arms and pull me along, with Hela pushing me from behind. Once we're in Kera's room, they all circle around me once more like vultures.

My hair is pulled back so tight it hurts my scalp, my ponytail then set in elaborate curls. Kera puts me in a black body suit with a windbreaker and combat boots-- something that might have looked good on someone much older than I, but just looked like a costume on me. I had to suppress a groan, though, when they started applying makeup. It just didn't feel necessary. I had nothing against makeup as a concept, but when I was about to be running around and sweating, it just seemed stupid.

When I left the room, and caught myself in the mirror on the way by, it felt like a complete different person was looking back at me.

Nathan clearly hadn't gotten the same treatment, which only annoyed me more. No makeup, no carefully styled hair-- just track pants and a shirt. It was practical. And I was jealous.

He shoots me a sympathetic look when he finally sees me. "You look....nice?" he offers, though I can tell he's saying it more to try and be supportive, and not because he's being genuine.

"Shove it," I mumble, pulling at the bodysuit awkwardly. "I don't know how I'm supposed to learn anything at all if I'm just uncomfortable all day."

"Nothing I can do about the clothes, but if you want to lose the hair and makeup, I can cover for you," he offers, trying still to help. "Can just say it all got knocked loose in training. I'll back you up." I shrug back in response, not in the mood to say much more.

When it's time to go, Sean and Olivia lead us to the elevator and press the training button, and my stomach does a flip as the elevator shoots off at breakneck speed. And it does yet another flip when the elevator stops abruptly at the Eighth floor, door opening for the District Eight tributes and their mentors. 

Nathan nudges me slightly, and when I look up, he gives me a small nod, before gesturing to the elevator's new arrivals with his head. I pick up on what he's trying to say immediately-- District Eight was one of them districts Sean wanted us too look into allying with.

Trying to be subtle, I study the two other kids in the elevator with me. The girl is tall; pale and freckly, with long tangled orange hair. She looks wiry and strong-- like someone who's built up strength, but hasn't had a lot of food to supplement it. When her eyes meet mine, I offer her a tiny smile-- one she returns, her grey eyes holding what almost reads to me as affection. It's kind of startling, coming from someone who is technically a competitor, but if I think about it, Addalie was the same way. So open and willing to find connection. All of us were really in the same boat. 

The boy was nothing special, messy brown hair, and an average build. He didn't look strong, but didn't look weak either-- just solidly middle of the pack. And when our eyes met, he frowned, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

It was a bit of a gut punch. So different from the girl. But I couldn't blame him. That, in fact, was the reaction I had been expecting.

In moments, the elevator stops on the training level. Olivia and Sean send us through a large metal door, into the facility, and then leave us there to fend for ourselves.

The training center is humungous. I can see targets lined up in a row across one entire wall, for bows and knives and other projective weapons. There's a corner with dummies that will soon be the victims of swords, maces, tridents, and other blunt weapons. Scanning the other stations, I see one with a ton of rope of all different shapes and sizes, probably where we can all practice tying knots and snares. One station has a computer where you can try to pick out edible plants among poisonous ones in a simulated game-- I take note of those two, since Olivia told me to try both out. 

Trainers are all over the facility too, with some at each station to teach basics, and others making themselves available to teach hand-to-hand combat, and available to spar with.

A burly trainer is standing in the middle of the room, waiting for all of us tributes to come in. He's huge, with broad, muscular shoulders and a buzzcut. He's wearing wrap-around sunglasses, too, despite us being indoors, and the light not being particularly great. 

The other tributes have beat us here, and are already assembled in front of the big trainer with sunglasses, so Nathan and I join them. When we do he looks over to us. "Now that we're all here, I can begin," he growls.

"My name is Hassan, and my job is to whip you twenty-four into shape. When I'm through with you, you will all be competitors in that arena, whether you want to be or not."

"Some of you may be under the impression that this time isn't necessary. That you're already prepared. That you're too good for the rest of the pack. And you can think what you want, but just know this-- I see every tribute that comes through those doors. I've seen plenty of tributes just as ready as you. And I've seen half off them choke within the first few days. A sword can't do shit if you have nothing to eat." I look around the room, eyeing some of the more athletic looking tributes, and though I can't see their faces, I can tell some of them are bristling at Hassan's words.

"Don't spend all your time with the weapons. Don't underestimate the survival stations. Those may be the skills that save your lives," he reiterates. "And, as an additional warning-- You are all forbidden from fighting each other. Save that for the Games; you'll be able to fight as much as you want in the Arena. If you need help practicing, we have training on hand. We're a bit short-staffed today, but tomorrow all of them will be here. You can surely wait until then." He looks us all over one last time, before then giving us a nod and dismissing us. The crowd of tributes begins to disperse as everyone scurries to whatever station they want to try first, and Addalie and Mark invite Nathan and I into a huddle.

"We should split up," Mark says authoritatively, taking charge. "We have the advantage of knowing who we can rely on. We'll have each other in there. If we split up, we can cover more stations, and have more resources in the Arena."

"Not a bad idea," Nathan agrees with a curt nod. "We talked with our trainers a bit this morning-- I'm probably going to go try out the tridents. Other weapons too, but... that one seems to me like it'll be the quickest to pick up."

Addalie nods too. "We also chatted with our mentors-- they want us to try and see if we like spears. Something about them being kind of similar to cattle prods..." she trails off, chewing her bottom lip. "I think I want to try hand-to-hand combat, though. Weapon training is only helpful if I actually get a weapon."

"I'll look at the spears and tell you if it actually is similar, or if that's just cope," Mark replies, eyes then going back to me. "What about you?"

I frown. Now that it's time to get started, it feels overwhelming, like I need to be everywhere at once. In the absence of my ability to process or decide, I fall back on what Olivia told me. "I'll try the obstacle course. My mentor suggested it." The others nod, and we all break from our huddle, headed in the directions of our starting stations.